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Dating App Conman Jailed for Defrauding Women of £1 Million

12/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Nigel Baker, a 56-year-old from Romford, Essex, was jailed for 17 years for defrauding five divorced women of nearly £1 million.
He targeted victims on dating apps and urged them to invest in a fake betting business, claiming the money was safe.
The court heard he squandered savings on gambling, with losses over £4 million on one account, and Judge Charles Falk described him as a 'charlatan'.

History

Historical Context

The Fraud Act 2006, enacted on November 8, 2006, aimed to modernize the legal framework for prosecuting fraud in the UK, replacing outdated laws from the Theft Act 1978. This legislation defined fraud in three categories and allowed for harsher penalties, reflecting a growing need to address financial crimes, particularly as online scams increasingly targeted vulnerable individuals, such as those on dating platforms.

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Story summary

Nigel Baker, a 56-year-old from Romford, Essex, was jailed for 17 years for defrauding five divorced women of nearly £1 million.
He targeted victims on dating apps and urged them to invest in a fake betting business, claiming the money was safe.
The court heard he squandered savings on gambling, with losses over £4 million on one account, and Judge Charles Falk described him as a 'charlatan'.

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